The Land Holdings Bill is impractical – industry players

Government’s move to fast-track land reform through the limitation of agricultural land ownership has received a lukewarm response from various industries for its impracticality.

Four months after President Jacob Zuma in his State of the Nation Address confirmed that agricultural land ownership will be regulated; there is still scepticism about government’s intentions.

These intentions include the Regulation of Land Holdings Bill, which will prohibit land ownership by foreign nationals through leaseholds for a minimum of 30 years. A ceiling of 12 000 hectares for land has also been proposed for locals.

Rural Development and Land Reform Minister Gugile Nkwinti recently told Moneyweb that the Bill “is moving faster,” as it is yet to debut in Parliament for review.

The Bill has courted criticism with some industry players snubbing it as being too draconian and unconstitutional given how politically sensitive land ownership is in South Africa. Others have taken an optimistic view saying government’s attempt is a measure for historically disadvantaged individuals to own land.